Miami-Dade apartment fire sparks explosion on patio

Smoke pours from roof of building

MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, Fla. – A fire broke out Wednesday afternoon at an apartment complex in northeast Miami-Dade.

Sky 10 was above the scene at 20741 NE Fourth Court shortly after 4 p.m. as smoke poured from the roof of the building.

Multiple Miami-Dade Fire Rescue units were at the scene working to extinguish the blaze.

Verline Boucher and her husband Roger lived in the unit where the flames sparked.

"I couldn’t even watch the whole thing, it was very devastating," Verline said. "Words can’t even explain, I am very devastated about my loss. Everything is completely gone in my apartment." 

"Just sadness set in," Verline's husband Roger said. "All that built up for what you’ve achieved all these years together, all gone. But I will rebuild again."

The couple wasn't home at the time of the fire but says a propane tank for their barbeque grill was behind the explosion.

Miami-Dade Fire Rescue worked to put out the smoke and flames, but so far a cause is unknown.

The family’s alarm company tipped the Boucher's off to trouble.

"I called my son who was home at the time and didn't get him, so I started to panic," Verline said. "I called him a couple more times and then he answered, and I said 'what's going on,' he said 'it's a fire and it started on the patio' and I'm like 'oh my god.'"

The family, unable to salvage much from the burnt apartment, is being assisted by the Red Cross.


About the Authors:

Amanda Batchelor is the Digital Executive Producer for Local10.com.

Terrell Forney joined Local 10 News in October 2005 as a general assignment reporter. He was born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio, but a desire to escape the harsh winters of the north brought him to South Florida.